Jochen Michels, Director, Public Affairs Europe at Kaspersky and Member of the Program Committee of the IGF‑D 2026
The IGF‑D 2026 annual conference on September 9 in Berlin will bring together public sector and governments, network operators, technology vendors, academic researchers, and civil society organizations in a single, Europe‑focused and Germany‑based forum. Unlike global internet‑governance gatherings that must accommodate a very broad set of legal regimes, the regional format of the IGF‑D is deliberately crafted to translate the many, sometimes conflicting, viewpoints that exist across the continent and in Germany into a shared vision for digital policy. By offering an open, transparent arena where every interested party can present data, raise concerns, propose solutions, and test ideas in real time, the IGF‑D creates the conditions for balanced, pragmatic progress in the digital sphere – progress that respects real‑world constraints as well as long‑term strategic ambitions.
Why Multi‑Stakeholder Cooperation Is Essential
Europe’s digital ecosystem is characterized by a remarkable diversity of actors. National authorities enforce differing regulatory regimes, incumbent operators manage legacy copper and early‑generation fiber networks, emerging providers push rapid deployment of 5G and next‑generation broadband, consumer groups demand affordable and inclusive access, and research institutes develop the algorithms, protocols, and hardware that will underpin tomorrow’s services. When these voices are heard in isolation, policy proposals tend either to over‑regulate, stifling innovation, or to under‑address security and consumer protection, leaving gaps that can be exploited. The IGF‑D’s multi‑stakeholder setting forces these actors to sit at the same table, to explain the practical implications of their positions and to listen to the constraints faced by others. Misunderstandings are clarified early, common goals are identified, and compromises can be reached before any law is drafted.
Transparency is a cornerstone of the conference. Public agendas are published weeks in advance, every session is recorded, and the outcomes are documented in a freely accessible repository. This openness guarantees that the policy that eventually emerges is a genuine co‑creation rather than a top‑down imposition. It also reduces the risk of later legislative deadlock: when legislators see that a proposal has already been vetted by operators, consumer advocates, and technical experts, they are far more likely to adopt it without extensive amendment. Moreover, the collaborative approach accelerates the adoption of standards that are both technically sound and economically viable, because the cost‑benefit analysis is performed collectively. Trust, which is the essential lubricant for any long‑term digital ecosystem, is built through this iterative, evidence‑based dialogue.
Kaspersky’s Role in a Global Multi‑Stakeholder Ecosystem
Kaspersky participates in the IGF‑D as a partner in the broader IGF multi‑stakeholder platform rather than as a mere observer. Jochen Michels, Director, Public Affairs Europe, sits on the program committee and is responsible for organizing a dedicated session on the EU Digital Networks Act (DNA), weaving together ideas, content, and speakers from all stakeholder groups. Kaspersky’s contribution is rooted in a corporate ‘DNA’ of international cooperation: the company routinely shares threat‑intelligence, incident‑response case studies, and security‑by‑design guidance with the broader community. By offering concrete, data‑driven insights into the evolving threat landscape, Kaspersky helps participants understand the real‑world impact of technical choices and regulatory options.
Beyond the conference walls, Kaspersky leverages its global public‑affairs network to keep the conversation alive. Follow‑up sessions that dive deeper into topics raised during the IGF‑D will be organized, working papers that summarize consensus positions will be published, and joint follow-up activities that translate the conference’s conclusions into actionable measures are planned. This continuity ensures that the momentum generated during the event in Berlin does not dissipate but instead feeds into the discussions on internet governance in a structured way. By coupling deep technical expertise with a commitment to open, cross‑border multistakeholder collaboration, Kaspersky helps the IGF‑D expand the dialogue, achieve concrete results, and formulate implementation proposals that are both realistic and forward‑looking.
An Illustrative Session on the Digital Networks Act is Planned
Among the sessions scheduled for the conference, one session titled “Establishing a Resilient, Secure, and High‑Performing Digital Infrastructure” serves as a concrete example of how the IGF‑D’s format works in practice. The session begins with a brief overview of the forthcoming Digital Networks Act, setting the legislative context without delving into technical minutiae. A lightning talk follows, focusing on the delicate balance between appropriate regulation and the promotion of innovation; the speaker highlights how overly prescriptive rules can hinder investment while insufficient regulation may leave critical gaps in security and consumer protection.
The heart of the session is a moderated panel that brings together representatives from industry leaders, academic researchers, lawmakers, and civil‑society organizations. Each participant is invited to share a concise perspective on what is required to achieve a secure, high‑performing digital environment. The discussion moves quickly from abstract principles to concrete steps – such as the adoption of security‑by‑design checkpoints, the creation of interoperable standards, and the establishment of public‑private funding mechanisms for research. Jochen Michels, as moderator, ensures that the conversation remains balanced, that no single viewpoint dominates, and that the dialogue stays focused on actionable outcomes. The session concludes with a concise summary that distills the key points into a set of recommendations for the legislative process. Although the session centers on a specific piece of legislation, its structure – balanced input, rapid exchange, and clear outcomes – illustrates the broader value of the IGF‑D’s multi‑stakeholder methodology.
Looking Ahead
The IGF‑D’s ability to convene all relevant parties in a transparent, evidence‑based setting makes it a unique catalyst for Germany’s and Europe’s digital policy and internet‑governance evolution. By fostering genuine exchange and cooperation, the conference helps develop suggestions and proposals that are technically feasible, economically sensible, and socially acceptable. Kaspersky is committed to ensuring that cybersecurity receives the attention it deserves and that security considerations are not an afterthought but a foundational element of any future framework. The company’s participation demonstrates how a private‑sector actor can contribute constructively to public policy without compromising its own commercial interests, thereby reinforcing the principle that security is a shared responsibility.
As the dialogue continues beyond the conference walls – through further discussion, follow‑up events, and shared publications on the outcomes – the IGF‑D will help shape a digital landscape that is resilient, innovative, and trusted by citizens across Germany and the continent. The concrete recommendations emerging from the “Digital Networks Act” session, for example, will feed into working groups that draft technical specifications, influence national regulatory strategies, and inform EU‑level legislative drafts. Over time, the iterative process cultivated by the IGF‑D is expected to produce a body of best practice guidance that can be referenced by policymakers, industry consortia, and standards organizations alike.
Conclusion
The true strength of the IGF‑D lies in its capacity to transform a fragmented set of interests into a harmonized, forward‑looking agenda. Multi‑stakeholder cooperation, underpinned by transparency and rigorous technical input, is the most reliable path to a digital future that balances security, performance, and innovation. Kaspersky’s active involvement – grounded in a tradition of international cooperation – demonstrates how expertise and openness can combine to produce internet governance policies that protect users while enabling the next wave of digital growth. As Europe moves toward a more connected, secure, and prosperous digital society, the IGF‑D will remain the indispensable platform where diverse voices converge, consensus is built and the foundations for tomorrow’s internet are laid.
